Lansing area Marine killed in Iraq

Called 'respectful kid with a positive outlook' who loved his country.

Called 'respectful kid with a positive outlook' who loved his country.

November 02, 2006

EATON RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- A Marine from the Lansing area was killed while supporting military operations in Iraq, the Department of Defense said Tuesday. Lance Cpl. Troy D. Nealey, 24, of Eaton Rapids, died Sunday during combat operations in Anbar province, the Defense Department said. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Lansing. Nealey was a 2001 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School, the Lansing State Journal reported. His family is proud of his service, said Scott Boles, pastor of First Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids and a family spokesman. Boles described Nealey as a "respectful kid with a positive outlook" who loved his country. "He was always so approachable," Boles said. "He respected all adults. I have never met any kid so respectful of adults." Nealey is survived by his parents, Norman and Annette, and two brothers: Todd, a student at Michigan State University, and Michael, who is in eighth grade. Shelly-Odell Funeral Home of Eaton Rapids was handling funeral arrangements, but a date had not been set. Two other Marines from Michigan recently died in fighting in Anbar province. Lance Cpls. Clifford R. Collinsworth, 20, of Chelsea, and Nicholas J. Manoukian, 22, of Lathrup Village, were among four members of a unit from Camp Lejeune, N.C., who were killed Oct. 21.